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CCSU Earns First NEC Tournament Berth

from press release

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Central Connecticut
women's lacrosse team continued its historic season by clinching
the program's first Northeast Conference Tournament berth with a
18-8 victory over LIU Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Devils
(9-5, 7-0 NEC) have a perfect 7-0 record in NEC play and currently
hold a share of first place in the NEC standings.

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 5-1 lead over the first six and
a half minutes of play behind a pair of goals by freshman Elyse
Malecki. Malecki scored CCSU's first and fifth goals of the game,
both were unassisted. Senior Mackenzy Ryan, sophomore Jessica
Sudock and junior Amanda Toke also had goals during CCSU's opening
run.

An offensive outburst by LIU tied the game at 5-5 with 17:53
left in the half, but the Blue Devils quickly regained the scoring
momentum and closed the period on a 7-0 run. Senior Betsy Vendel
led the way with a hat-trick during the run. Ryan and Suddock each
posted their second goal of the game during the stretch and
freshmanFalynn McCartney also scored twice.

Central made it a 12-0 run by scoring the first five goals of
the second half. Vendel, Toke and Malecki each added another goal,
while junior Claire Healy and freshmanMadison Hughes each posted
their first of the game.

The strong start to the second half gave the Blue Devils a
commanding 17-5 lead that put the game out of reach.

The Blackbirds were able to score three more goals to make it a
17-8 game, but Ryan scored her third of the game with 1:13 left to
play to put the Blue Devils back in front by 10.

Vendel finished the game with four goals and an assist to total
five points. She also had three draw controls, two ground balls and
a caused turnover.

Ryan and Malecki both finished with three goals. Ryan also had
an assist to total four points, while Toke finished with two goals
and two assists. Malecki and Toke were also key contributors on
loose balls with three and two ground balls, respectively.

Sophomore goalie Morgan Tullar stopped 10 of the 18 shots that
came at her goal and was again strong in the second half.

Senior Ali Roche recorded two ground balls and two caused
turnovers. Her first caused turnover of the game broke her own
single-season record.

Senior Cierra Ward was also strong on defense with two ground
balls.

The Blue Devils will return to action on Wednesday night at Holy
Cross. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.